RFK Jr. Fires Two Leaders of Major U.S. Health Task Force

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired two key leaders of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on May 11, effective immediately. Dr. John Wong, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, and Dr. Esa Davis, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, were notified by mail of their termination. The letters stated the dismissals were necessary to avoid uncertainty that could undermine the task force’s future work, though no specific reasons were provided. Kennedy claimed the decision followed a review of the task force and was unrelated to the two leaders’ performance. Both were invited to reapply for other positions on the task force, an offer they accepted. During a May 12 meeting with HHS officials, Wong and Davis were told they had been ‘prematurely’ appointed under the Biden administration, according to *The New York Times*. The USPSTF determines which preventive care services insurers must cover, including mammograms, colonoscopies, and depression screenings, based on scientific evidence. Critics argue Kennedy’s move risks politicizing the task force, following past interference with its recommendations. Former task force chairman Dr. Michael Silverstein told *The Times* the administration blocked the release of a recommendation endorsing self-testing for cervical cancer as an alternative to Pap smears. Silverstein compared the situation to Kennedy’s overhaul of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which faces legal challenges and membership instability. He warned that the administration’s actions could extend to other medical screenings, raising concerns about reduced rigor in guidelines. Dr. Aaron Carroll, president of AcademyHealth, expressed fears that the dismissals could lead to political influence and misuse of evidence in determining insurance coverage for preventive care. The USPSTF is now accepting nominations for new members. Public health experts urge caution, emphasizing the task force’s role in ensuring millions of Americans receive cost-free preventive services under the Affordable Care Act.